Hampton Lady Pirates Cruise at Savannah State 81-53

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- After a run of fourth-quarter comebacks the Hampton Lady Pirates made sure none was needed on Saturday.

Senior Monnazjea Finney-Smith scored a team-high 19 points and set a school record with 13 steals as Hampton raced out to a 20-6 first quarter lead en route to an 81-53 win at Tiger Arena.

Finney-Smith broke the record of 11 that was shared by LaShondra Dixon-Gordon in 2003 and Karen Drewry in 1988. Hampton recorded 30 steals in the game whic equals the second most in a game by a NCAA Division I team this season.

Hampton scored the first nine points of the game as a Mikayla Sayle layup put them up 9-0 with 6:35 left in the first. The Lady Pirates closed the quarter scoring the last seven with a layup by Mahaley Holit giving Hampton a 20-6 lead after one.

The Lady Pirates recorded 37 points off turnovers and matched a season-high in points with the 81. They defeated San Jose State 81-73 in the Pacific Thanksgiving Tournament.

Finney-Smith broke the steals record with consecutive swipes early in the fourth quarter. Her 13th set up a triple by Holit with 6:40 left that gave Hampton a 69-40 advantage.

Ashley Bates had 16 points, while Mikayla Sayle recorded season highs in points (13) and rebounds (9), while K'lynn Willis was a stat-sheet stuffer with 10 points, six rebounds and season highs in assists and steals (7).

Hampton (7-9., 3-0) now goes to Orangeburg, SC to tangle with South Carolina State on Monday night at 5:30 pm.

For more information on Hampton University women's basketball, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

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